2018 Paid Sick Leave Law

Employers: Get ready now for paid sick leave

New law takes effect Jan. 1

Do you provide paid sick leave to your employees? All employers in Washington will be required to very soon. The new paid sick leave law starts Jan. 1, 2018. It's one of the changes resulting from Initiative 1433, which was approved by voters last fall.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is implementing the new law, which also includes annual increases in the state minimum wage through 2020 and ensures employers pay their employees tips and service charges.

Online tools help employers get readyYou can find paid sick leave tools, training and other resources at L&I’s new Employer Resource Center (www.Lni.wa/gov/SickLeave). There are also webinars scheduled to help you get ready. To sign up, click “Employer Paid Sick Leave Training” on the right side of the web page.Here are the webinar dates and times:

Nov. 29: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 11: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 18: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 21: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Sign up for a webinar now! You can also request a Skype or in-person presentation on paid sick leave.

New required L&I workplace posterIn November, Washington employers will receive an updated Your Rights as a Worker poster in the mail. The poster includes information about the new paid sick leave requirements, minimum wage and protections for employees against retaliation. Please post it immediately in a visible, accessible place at your worksite.

Statewide outreach and media campaign to raise awarenessL&I is working with numerous organizations around the state to help employers get ready. L&I is also launching a statewide paid media campaign in November including TV, radio, social media and other online ads, which will run through early 2018.

Learn moreFor more information about the new requirements for employers: